Mn-Zn ferrite and production process thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a Mn—Zn ferrite having an electrical resistivity exceeding 1 &OHgr;m order and having a low core loss in a high frequency region exceeding 1 MHz. The basic component composition of the Mn—Zn ferrite includes 44.0 to 49.8 mol % Fe2O3, 6.0 to 15.0 mol % ZnO (15.0 mol % is excluded), 0.1 to 4.0 mol % at least one of TiO2 and SnO2, and remainder MnO, wherein desired results are obtained by limiting Fe2O3 content to less than 50 mol % that is the stoichiometric composition and adding a proper amount of TiO2 or SnO2 and further controlling its average grain size to less than 10 &mgr;m.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an oxide magnetic material having soft magnetism, and more specifically to a Mn—Zn ferrite suitable for use as a switching power transformer, a rotary transformer and the like, and to a production process thereof.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Typical oxide magnetic materials having soft magnetism include a Mn—Zn ferrite. Conventionally, this Mn—Zn ferrite usually has a basic component composition containing 52 to 55 mol % Fe2O3on the average, exceeding 50 mol % which is the stoichiometric composition, 10 to 24 mol % ZnO and remainder MnO. The Mn—Zn ferrite is usually produced by mixing respective material powders of Fe2O3, ZnO and Mno in a prescribed ratio, subjecting the mixed powders to respective steps of calcination, milling, component adjustment, granulation and pressing to obtain a desired shape, then performing sintering treatment at 1200 to 1400° C. for 2 to 4 hours in a reducing atmosphere in which a relative partial pressure of oxygen is controlled to a low level by supplying nitrogen. The Mn—Zn ferrite is sintered in the reducing atmosphere in order to reduce a part of Fe3+ thereby forming Fe2+. This Fe2+ has positive crystal magnetic anisotropy and cancels negative crystal magnetic anisotropy of Fe3 to thereby enhance soft magnetism.

[0005] Amount of the above-mentioned Fe2+ formed depends on relative partial pressures of oxygen in sintering and cooling after the sintering. Therefore, when the relative partial pressure of oxygen is improperly set, it becomes difficult to ensure excellent soft magnetic properties. Thus, conventionally, the following expression (1) has been experimentally established and the relative partial pressure of oxygen in sintering and in cooling after the sintering has been strictly controlled in accordance with this expression (1).

log Po2=−14540/(T+273)+b  (1)

[0006] where T is temperature (° C.), Po2 is a relative partial pressure of oxygen, and b is a constant which is usually 7 to 8. The fact that the constant b is set to 7 to 8 means that the relative partial pressure of oxygen in the sintering must be controlled in a narrow range, whereby such a problem arises that the sintering treatment becomes significantly troublesome and therefore production costs are increased.

[0007] In recent years, with miniaturization and performance improvement of electronic equipments there is such an increasing tendency that signals are processed at a higher frequency. Thus, a magnetic material having excellent magnetic properties even in a higher frequency region as well has been needed

[0008] However, when the Mn—Zn ferrite is used as a magnetic core material, an eddy current flows in a higher frequency region applied resulting in a larger loss. Therefore, in order to extend an upper limit of the frequency at which the Mn—Zn ferrite can be applied as a magnetic core material, an electrical resistivity of the material must be made as high as possible. However, since the above-mentioned general Mn—Zn ferrite contains Fe2O3 in an amount larger than 50 mol % which is the stoichiometric composition, a large amount of Fe2+ ion is present, thereby making easy the transfer of electrons between the above-mentioned Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions. Thus, the electrical resistivity of the Mn—Zn ferrite is in the order of 1 &OHgr;m or less. Accordingly, an applicable frequency is limited to about several hundred kHz maximum, and in a frequency region exceeding the limit, permeability (initial permeability) is significantly lowered to completely take away properties of the soft magnetic material.

[0009] In order to increase an apparent resistance of the Mn—Zn ferrite, in some cases, CaO, SiO2 or the like is added as additive to impart a higher resistance to grain boundary and at the same time the Mn—Zn ferrite is sintered at as low as about 1200° C. to diminish the grain size from its usual dimension, about 20 &mgr;m, to 5 &mgr;m, thereby taking measures to increase the ratio of the grain boundary. However, even if such measures are adopted, it is difficult to obtain an electrical resistivity exceeding 1 &OHgr;m order as the grain boundary itself has a low resistance, and the above-mentioned measures fall short of a thorough solution.

[0010] Further, a Mn—Zn ferrite to which, for example, CaO, SiO2, SnO2 and TiO2 are added to obtain a higher resistivity has been developed and is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 9-180925. However, the electrical resistivity of the Mn—Zn ferrite is as low as 0.3 to 2.0 &OHgr;m, which does not sufficiently satisfy application in a high frequency region. Further, a Mn—Zn ferrite to which SnO2 and the like are added is disclosed in EPC 1,304,237. The Mn—Zn ferrite described in this EPC patent contains as much as 3 to 7 mol % Fe2+. An electrical resistivity depends on amount of Fe2+ as described above. Therefore, the electrical resistivities of the Mn—Zn ferrite in this EPC patent cannot exceed the electrical resistivities of a usual Mn—Zn ferrite of the prior art.

[0011] On the other hand, a Mn—Zn ferrite which contains less than 50 mol % Fe2O3 for a higher resistance has been developed for use as a core material for a deflecting yoke and is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Nos. Hei 7-230909, Hei 10-208926, Hei 11-199235 and the like.

[0012] However, judging from the fact that the application thereof is a core material for a deflecting yoke and from examples of the invention described in each publication, the Mn—Zn ferrites described in any of the above publications are ferrite materials intended to be used in a frequency region of 64 to 100 kHz. It is described that the purpose in setting Fe2O3 content to 50 mol % or less for a high electrical resistivity is to enable a copper wire to be wound directly around a core for a deflecting yoke. Excellent magnetic properties are not obtained in such a high frequency region as exceeding 1 MHz. Thus, only setting the Fe2O3 content to less than 50 mol % for a high electrical resistivity is not good enough to enable the ferrites to be used as a magnetic core material in such a high frequency region as exceeding 1 MHz.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a Mn—Zn ferrite that has, of course, excellent magnetic properties, and also has both a higher electrical resistivity than 1 &OHgr;m order (a single digit order) and a low core loss in such a high frequency region as exceeding 1 MHz, and a production process by which such a Mn—Zn ferrite can be obtained easily and inexpensively.

[0014] A Mn—Zn ferrite according to the present invention to attain the above-mentioned object is characterized in that its basic component composition includes 44.0 to 49.8 mol % Fe2O3, 6.0 to 15.0 mol % ZnO (15.0 mol % is excluded), 0.1 to 4.0 mol % at least one of TiO2 and SnO2, and remainder MnO, and that the average grain size is less than 10 &mgr;m.

[0015] Another Mn—Zn ferrite according to the present invention is characterized in that its basic component composition includes 44.0 to 49.8 mol % Fe2O3, 6.0 to 15.0 mol % ZnO (15.0 mol % is excluded), 0.1 to 4.0 mol % at least one of TiO2 and SnO2, 0.1 to 6.0 mol % CuO, and remainder MnO, and that the average grain size is less than 10 &mgr;m.

[0016] Still another Mn—Zn ferrite according to the present invention may contain as additive, in addition to the basic component compositions of the above-described two inventions, at least one component selected from the group consisting of 0.005 to 0.200 mass % CaO, 0.005 to 0.050 mass % SiO2, 0.010 to 0.200 mass % ZrO2, 0.010 to 0.200 mass % Ta2O5, 0.010 to 0.200 mass % HfO2 and 0.010 to 0.200 mass % Nb2O5.

[0017] On the other hand, a production process according to the present invention to attain the above-mentioned object is characterized in that a mixed powder whose components are adjusted so as to compose the above-mentioned Mn—Zn ferrite is pressed, then sintered and cooled, after the sintering, down to 500° C. or lower in an atmosphere of a relative partial pressure of oxygen defined by an arbitrary value selected from a range of 6 to 12 as a constant b in the expression (1).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In a usual Mn—Zn ferrite of the prior art, Fe2O3 content is larger than 50 mol % that is the stoichiometric composition, as described above. In order to prevent this excessive Fe2O3 from getting precipitated as hematite, sintering and cooling must be conducted under a condition where a relative partial pressure of oxygen is reduced to a significantly lower level by flowing nitrogen, that is a condition where the constant b in the expression (1) is set to 7 to 8. On the other hand, since a Mn—Zn ferrite of the present invention contains 44.0 to 49.8 mol % Fe2O3, that is less than 50 mol %, hematite is hardly precipitated. Thus, even if a range of relative partial pressure of oxygen in sintering is somewhat increased, excellent magnetic properties can be obtained. Further, in the conventional Mn—Zn ferrite that contains more than 50 mol % Fe2O3, about 3.0 mol % Fe2+ exists. On the other hand, in the Mn—Zn ferrite of the present invention, Fe2+ content is as low as 0.1 to 0.7 mol %. Accordingly, the electrical resistivity of the Mn—Zn ferrite of the present invention is very high. Therefore, an eddy current is not increased so much even in a high frequency region, and excellent initial permeability can be obtained. However, if this Fe2O3 content is too small, saturation magnetization is deteriorated. Thus, at least 44.0 mol % Fe2O3 must be contained.

[0019] ZnO as main component influences the Curie temperature and saturation magnetization. Too small amount of ZnO reduces the initial permeability, but on the contrary too large amount of ZnO lowers the saturation magnetization and Curie temperature. Since ferrite for power transformer is often used in an environment at a temperature of about 80 to 100° C., it is particularly important that the ferrite has a high Curie temperature and high saturation magnetization. Accordingly, ZnO content in the ferrite is set to the above-mentioned range of 6.0 to 15.0 mol % (15.0 mol % is excluded).

[0020] Ti and Si receive an electron from Fe3+ to thereby form Fe2+. Therefore, amount of Fe2+ formation can be inhibited by controlling TiO2 or SnO2 content and relative partial pressure of oxygen in sintering and cooling after the sintering. The existing ratio of Fe3+ to Fe2+ is optimized to cancel out positive and negative crystal magnetic anisotropies with the result that the ferrite has excellent soft magnetism. However, when the TiO2 or SnO2 content is too small, the effect is small, whereas initial permeability is lowered when the content is too large. Thus, the TiO2 or SnO2 content is set within a range of from 0.1 to 4.0 mol %.

[0021] In the present invention, CuO may be contained additionally as a main component. This CuO has an effect of enabling the ferrite to be sintered at a low temperature. However, if CuO content is too small, the effect is small. On the contrary if the CuO content is too large, core loss increases. Accordingly, the CuO content is set to 0.1 to 0.6 mol %.

[0022] In the present invention, CaO, SiO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5, HfO2 or Nb2O5 can be contained as additive. These additives have an action of accelerating crystal grain growth and are effective in keeping average grain size less than 10 &mgr;m. However, if their content is too small, the effect is small, and on the contrary if the content is too large, grains grow abnormally. Thus, CaO content is set to 0.005 to 0.200 mass %, SiO2 content is set to 0.005 to 0.050 mass %, ZrO2 content is set to 0.010 to 0.200 mass %, Ta2O5 content is set to 0.010 to 0.200 mass %, HfO2 content is set to 0.010 to 0.200 mass %, and Nb2O5 content is set to 0.010 to 0.200 mass %.

[0023] The core loss of ferrite in a high frequency region comprises mainly eddy-current loss and residual loss. As described above, the Mn—Zn ferrite according to the present invention has a very high electrical resistivity and a small eddy-current loss. Further, since the Mn—Zn ferrite has a small average grain size of less than 10 &mgr;m, number of magnetic domain walls in a crystal grain is decreased, whereby the residual loss can be significantly decreased.

[0024] In the present invention, as described above, the sintering and cooling after the sintering can be conducted in an atmosphere of the relative partial pressure of oxygen obtained using an arbitrary value in a range of 6 to 12 as the constant b in the expression (1). However, when a value larger than 12 is selected as the constant b, Fe2+ is hardly formed with the result that core loss increases. On the contrary, when a value smaller than 6 is selected, the electrical resistivity is significantly lowered by the fact that amount of Fe2+ increases.

[0025] In production of the Mn—Zn ferrite, respective raw material powders of Fe2O3, ZnO, TiO2, SnO2, CuO and MnO, which are main components, are previously weighed for a prescribed ratio and mixed to obtain a mixed powder, and then this mixed powder is calcined and finely milled. The temperature for calcination differs slightly depending on target compositions and an appropriate temperatures should be selected from a range of 800 to 1000° C. A general-purpose ball mill can be used for the fine milling of the calcined powder. When CaO, SiO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5, HfO2 or Nb2O5 is made to be contained as additive, powders of these additives are added to the aforementioned fine milled powder in appropriate amounts and mixed with each other to obtain a mixture with a target composition. Then, the mixture is granulated and pressed in accordance with a usual ferrite production process, and then sintered at 1000 to 1400° C. In the granulation process, a method of adding a binder such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, methyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide or glycerin can be used, and in the pressing process, a method of applying a pressure of, for example, 80 MPa or more can be used.

[0026] In the above-mentioned sintering and cooling after the sintering, relative partial pressure of oxygen is adjusted by flowing inert gas such as nitrogen gas or the like into a sintering furnace. In this case, an arbitrary value can be selected from a range of 6 to 12 as the constant b in the expression (1), which provides a very wide allowance as compared to the constant b (7 to 8) selected in a case where a usual Mn—Zn ferrite of the prior art containing more than 50 mol % Fe2O3 is sintered, and the relative partial pressure of oxygen can be easily controlled. Further, in this case, since at a temperature of below 500° C., the reaction of oxidation or reduction can be neglected irrespective of relative partial pressure of oxygen, the cooling after the sintering needs to be conducted in accordance with the above-mentioned expression (1) only till the temperature gets down to 500° C.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0027] Respective raw material powders of Fe2O3, TiO2 (or SnO2), MnO and ZnO were weighed for a composition consisting of 42.0 to 51.0 mol % Fe2O3, 0 to 5.0 mol % TiO2 or SnO2 and the remainder including MnO and ZnO with a molar ratio of MnO to ZnO being 3:1, and mixed with a ball mill. Then, the mixed powder was calcined in the air at 850° C. for 2 hours and milled with a ball mill for 20 hours to thereby obtain a fine milled powder. The component of this fine milled powder was adjusted so as to obtain the composition above-mentioned and the adjusted mixture was further mixed with a ball mill for 1 hour. Then, this mixture was granulated with addition of polyvinyl alcohol, and pressed at a pressure of 80 MPa into toroidal cores (green compacts) having an outer diameter of 18 mm, an inner diameter of 10 mm and a height of 4 mm. The green compacts were placed in a sintering furnace where an atmosphere was adjusted by flowing nitrogen so that it has a relative partial pressure of oxygen as obtained by setting the constant b to 8 in the expression (1). Sintering at 1200° C. for 2 hours and cooling after the sintering were then conducted in the above atmosphere adjusted and samples 1-1 to 1-9 as shown in Table 1 were obtained.

[0028] Regarding the above-obtained respective samples 1-1 to 1-9, average grain size was measured by observation with a metallurgical microscope. The results showed the average grain sizes of all the samples were about 7 &mgr;m. Additionally, regarding the above-mentioned samples 1-1 to 1-9, final component composition was checked by a fluorescent X ray analysis, and their electrical resistivity, initial permeability at 2 MHz, and core loss at 2 MHz-25 mT were measured. The results are shown together in Table 1. 1 TABLE 1 Electrical Basic Component Composition (mol %) Resistivity Initial Core Loss Sample No. Classification Fe2O3 MnO ZnO TiO2 SnO2 (&OHgr;m) Permeability (kW/m3) 1-1 Comparison 51.0 36.7 12.2 0.1 — 0.9  30 >3000 1-2 Comparison 50.2 37.3 12.4 — 0.1 1.1  40 >3000 1-3 Present Invention 49.8 37.6 12.5 — 0.1 110 510    960 1-4 Present Invention 49.0 37.9 12.6 — 0.5 210 560    740 1-5 Comparison 47.0 39.8 13.2 — — 290 280   1900 1-6 Present Invention 47.0 38.6 12.9 1.5 — 240 600    660 1-7 Comparison 47.0 36.0 12.0 — 5.0 250 290   1600 1-8 Present Invention 44.0 39.0 13.0 4.0 — 320 530    870 1-9 Comparison 42.0 42.4 14.1 — 1.5 400 380   1590

[0029] As apparent from the results shown in Table 1, all the samples 1-3 to 1-9 each containing less than 50 mol % Fe2O3 had a significantly higher electrical resistivity than the comparative samples 1-1 and 1-2 each containing more than 50 mol % Fe2O3. Further, out of these samples, the samples 1-3, 1-4, 1-6 and 1-8 of the present invention containing 44.0 to 49.8 mol % Fe2O3 and 0.1 to 4.0 mol % TiO2 or SnO2 obtained an excellent value of 1000 kW/m3 or less for the core loss.

Example 2

[0030] Respective raw material powders were weighed so as to have the same composition as the sample 1-6 of Example 1, mixed with a ball mill, and pressed into toroidal cores (green compacts) each having an outer diameter of 18 mm, an inner diameter of 10 mm and a height of 4 mm under the same conditions as in Example 1. The green compacts were placed into a sintering furnace where an atmosphere was adjusted by flowing nitrogen so that it has a relative partial pressure of oxygen as obtained by changing variously the constant b in the expression (1) within a range of 5.5 to 15. Sintering at 1200° C. for 2 hours and cooling after the sintering were then conducted in the above atmosphere adjusted and samples 2-1 to 2-5 as shown in Table 2 were obtained.

[0031] Regarding the samples 2-1 to 2-5, average grain size was measured by observation with a metallurgical microscope. The result was that the average grain sizes of all the samples were about 7 &mgr;m. Additionally, regarding the above-mentioned samples 2-1 to 2-5, their electrical resistivity and core loss at 2 MHz-25 mT were measured. The results are shown together in Table 2. 2 TABLE 2 Sample b Electrical Core Loss No. Classification Constant Resistivity (&OHgr;m) (kW/m3) 2-1 Comparison 5.5  70 1270 2-2 Present Invention 6 180  910 2-3 Present Invention 9 290  680 2-4 Present Invention 12 350  950 2-5 Comparison 15 380 1310

[0032] As can be seen from the results shown in Table 2, all the samples 2-2 to 2-4 of the present invention which were sintered in the atmospheres of the relative partial pressures of oxygen obtained by setting the constant b to 6 to 12 in the expression (1) had a small core loss. However, both of the comparative sample 2-1 which was sintered in the atmosphere of relative partial pressure of oxygen obtained by setting the constant b to 5.5 and the comparative sample 2-5 for which the constant b was set to 15 had a large core loss of more than 1000 kW/m3.

Example 3

[0033] Respective raw material powders of Fe2O3, TiO2 (or SnO2), CuO, MnO and ZnO were weighed for a composition consisting of 47.0 mol % Fe2O3, 1.5 mol % TiO2 or SnO2, 0 to 7.0 mol % CuO and the remainder including MnO and ZnO with a molar ratio of MnO to ZnO being 3:1, mixed with a ball mill, and pressed into toroidal cores (green compacts) each having an outer diameter of 18 mm, an inner diameter of 10 mm and a height of 4 mm under the same conditions as in Example 1. The green compacts were placed into a sintering furnace where an atmosphere was adjusted by flowing nitrogen so that it has a relative partial pressure of oxygen as obtained by setting the constant b to 8 in the expression (1). Sintering at 1100° C. and 1200° C. for 2 hours and cooling after the sintering were conducted in the above atmosphere adjusted and samples 3-1 to 3-4 as shown in Table 3 were obtained.

[0034] Regarding the samples 3-1 to 3-4, average grain size was measured by observation with a metallurgical microscope. The result was that the average grain sizes of all the samples were in a range of about 5 to 9 &mgr;m. Additionally, regarding the above-mentioned samples 3-1 to 3-4, final component composition was checked by a fluorescent X-ray analysis, and also their core loss at 2 MHz-25 mT was measured. The results are shown together in Table 3. 3 TABLE 3 Core Loss at each Sintering Sample Basic Component Composition (mol %) Temperature (kW/m3) No. Classification Fe2O3 MnO ZnO TiO2 SnO2 CuO 1200° C. 1100° C. 3-1 Present Invention 47.0 38.6 12.9 1.5 — —  660 1220 3-2 Present Invention 47.0 36.4 12.1 — 1.5 3.0  960  690 3-3 Present Invention 47.0 34.1 11.4 1.5 — 6.0 1250  840 3-4 Comparison 47.0 33.4 11.1 — 1.5 7.0 1880 1410

[0035] As can be seen from Table 3, the sample 3-1 (sample of the present invention) containing no CuO had to be sintered at a temperature of 1200° C. to realize a low core loss of 1000 kW/m3 or less. On the other hand, the samples 3-2 and 3-3 of the present invention each containing a proper amount of CuO, even when sintered at a low temperature of 1100° C., could obtain a low loss of 1000 kW/m3 or less. However, the comparative sample 3-4 containing CuO exceeding the proper amount incurred an increase in the core loss regardless of the sintering temperature selected.

Example 4

[0036] Respective raw material powders were weighed so as to have the same composition as the sample 1-6 of Example 1 or the sample 3-2 of Example 3, mixed with a ball mill, and pressed into a toroidal cores (green compacts) each having an outer diameter of 18 mm, an inner diameter of 10 mm and a height of 4 mm under the same conditions as in Example 1. The green compacts were placed into a sintering furnace where an atmosphere was adjusted by flowing nitrogen so that it has a relative partial pressure of oxygen as obtained by setting the constant b to 8 in the expression (1). Sintering at 1100 to 1300° C. for 2 hours and cooling after the sintering were then conducted in the above atmosphere adjusted and samples 4-1 to 4-6 as shown in Table 4 were obtained.

[0037] Regarding the samples 4-1 to 4-6 thus obtained, average grain size was measured by observation with a metallurgical microscope, and also core loss at 2 MHz-25 mT was measured. The results are shown together in Table 4. 4 TABLE 4 Average Basic Sintering Grain Sample Classi- Component Temperature Size Core Loss No. fication Composition (° C.) (&mgr;m) (kW/m3) 4-1 Present Same as 1100  6  690 Invention Sample 3-2 4-2 Present Same as 1150  9  980 Invention Sample 3-2 4-3 Comparison Same as 1200 10 1060 Sample 3-2 4-4 Present Same as Invention Sample 1-6 1200  7  660 4-5 Comparison Same as 1250 13 1140 Sample 1-6 4-6 Comparison Same as 1300 18 1370 Sample 1-6

[0038] As can be seen from the results shown in Table 4, while the samples 4-1, 4-2 and 4-4 of the present invention each having a grain size of less than 10 &mgr;m had a low core loss of less than 1000 kW/m3, the comparative samples 4-3, 4-5 and 4-6 each having a grain size of 10 &mgr;m or more had a large core loss of more than 1000 kW/m3.

Example 5

[0039] Respective raw material powders were weighed so as to have the same composition as the sample 1-6 of Example 1 or the sample 3-2 of Example 3, mixed with a ball mill, calcined in the air at 850° C. for 2 hours and milled in the ball mill for 20 hours to thereby obtain a fine milled powder. The component of this fine milled powder was adjusted so as to obtain the composition specified in the above, CaO, SiO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5, HfO2 or Nb2O5 was added to the adjusted fine milled powder as additive, and the obtained mixture was further mixed with a ball mill for 1 hour. Then, this mixture was granulated with addition of polyvinyl alcohol, and pressed at a pressure of 80 MPa into toroidal cores (green compacts) each having an outer diameter of 18 mm, an inner diameter of 10 mm and a height of 4 mm. The green compacts were placed into a sintering furnace where an atmosphere was adjusted by flowing nitrogen so that it has a relative partial pressure of oxygen as obtained by setting the constant b to 8 in the expression (1). Sintering at 1100 to 1200° C. for 2 hours and cooling after the sintering were then conducted in the above atmosphere adjusted and samples 5-1 to 5-8 as shown in Table 5 were obtained.

[0040] Regarding the samples 5-1 to 5-8 thus obtained, average grain size was measured by observation with a metallurgical microscope, and also core loss at 2 MHz-25 mT was measured. The results are shown together in Table 5. 5 TABLE 5 Sin- Av- tering erage Core Sam- Basic Tem- Grain Loss ple Classi- Additive Component perature Size (kW/ No. fication (mol %) Composition (° C.) (&mgr;m) m3) 3-2 Present — Refer to 1100 7  690 Invention Table 3 5-1 Present Nb2O5 0.050 Same as 1100 4  660 Invention Sample 3-2 5-2 Present HfO2 0.050 Same as 1100 5  660 Invention Sample 3-2 5-3 Present SiO2 0.005 Same as 1100 5  640 Invention Sample 3-2 1-6 Present — Refer to 1200 7  660 Invention Table 1 5-4 Present Ta2O5 0.050 Same as 1200 5  620 Invention Sample 1-6 5-5 Present ZrO2 0.050 Same as 1200 5  600 Invention Sample 1-6 5-6 Present CaO 0.005 Same as 1200 6  630 Invention Sample 1-6 5-7 Present CaO 0.200 Same as 1200 3  640 Invention Sample 1-6 5-8 Com- CaO 0.300 Same as 1200 3 1290 parison Sample 1-6

[0041] As can be seen from Table 5, all the samples 5-1 to 5-7 of the present invention to each of which a suitable amount of additive was added had a restrained grain growth and a further decreased core loss compared to the samples 1-6 and 3-2 (sample of the present invention) to each of which no additive was added. However, the comparative sample 5-8 to which an excess amount of additive was added had an abnormal grain growth thereby incurring a significant deterioration in the core loss.

[0042] As described above, the Mn—Zn ferrite of the present invention containing 44.0 to 49.8 mol % Fe2O3 which is less than the stoichiometric composition and 0.1 to 4.0 mol % TiO2 or SnO2 and further having its average grain size set to less than 10 &mgr;m has not only a high electrical resistivity exceeding 1 &OHgr;m order but also a low core loss in a high frequency region exceeding 1 MHz, and further excellent magnetic properties, thereby enhancing the utility significantly.

[0043] Further, when 0.1 to 6.0 mol % of CuO is contained as a main component, sintering can be performed at a low temperature, whereby the energy consumption can be reduced to a minimum.

[0044] Further, when a proper amount of CaO, SiO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5, HfO2, Nb2O5 or the like is contained as additive, the core loss in a high frequency region is further decreased.

[0045] In addition, according to the production process of the Mn—Zn ferrite of the present invention, a relative partial pressure of oxygen does not have to be strictly controlled during and after sintering, thus largely contributing to stabilization and cost reduction in the production of the Mn—Zn ferrite.

Claims

1. A Mn—Zn ferrite, characterized in that its basic component composition comprises: 44.0 to 49.8 mol % Fe2O3; 6.0 to 15.0 mol % ZnO (15.0 mol % is excluded); 0.1 to 0.4 mol % at least one of TiO2 and SnO2; and remainder MnO, and that its average grain size is less than 10 &mgr;m.

2. A Mn—Zn ferrite, characterized in that its basic component composition comprises: 44.0 to 49.8 mol % Fe2O3; 6.0 to 15.0 mol % ZnO (15.0 mol % is excluded); 0.1 to 0.4 mol % at least one of TiO2 and SnO2; 0.1 to 6.0 mol % CuO; and remainder MnO, and that its average grain size is less than 10 &mgr;m.

3. The Mn—Zn ferrite according to

claim 1 or

2, further comprising as additive at least one component selected from the group consisting of: 0.005 to 0.200 mass % CaO; 0.005 to 0.050 mass % SiO2; 0.010 to 0.200 mass % ZrO2; 0.010 to 0.200 mass % Ta2O5; 0.010 to 0.200 mass % HfO2; and 0.010 to 0.200 mass % Nb2O5.

4. A production process of Mn—Zn ferrite, characterized in that a mixed powder whose components are adjusted so as to obtain the composition of the Mn—Zn ferrite according to any one of

claims 1 to

3 is pressed, then sintered and cooled, after the sintering, down to 500° C. or lower in an atmosphere of a relative partial pressure of oxygen defined as the following expression:

log Po2=−14540/(T+273)+b

where T is temperature (° C.), Po2 is a relative partial pressure of oxygen, and b is a constant selected from a range of 6 to 12.